The Victorian Government has announced $900,000 in community grants will go to 38 organisations and individuals working in the LGBTI community.
Victorian Equality Minister Martin Foley (pictured, right) said the first round of LGBTI community grants.
Announced on Monday, focusing on health and wellbeing, expanding the LGBTI organisations’ capacity to support more community members.
This will also develop the management skills of current and future LGBTI leaders.
“It’s about creating a level playing field for all Victorians – and we know that access to health services is a barrier LGBTI Victorians face,” he said.
“The support we are providing will provide opportunities for the community to come together and provide a reminder that equality is not negotiable.”
Rainbow Families Victoria said they were honoured to receive $130,000 over two years.
This will grow their organisation and volunteer base, provides support to LGBTI parents, co-parents, carers and their children in Victoria.
“From a conversation in a cafe on a rainy May day in 2006 to securing our first suite of significant law reforms in 2008 to advocating for our children at every level of government, we sure have come a long way,” Rainbow Families Victoria convenor Felicity Marlowe said in a statement.
“This grant will assist us to grow, mature and nurture our volunteers, our families and our communities into the future.”
Switchboard Victoria, part of the QLife national counselling network, will receive $109,000 to expand their phone and online counselling services for LGBTI Victorians.
LGBTI cultural events will received funding to grow their capacity are:
- Chillout Daylesford
- Midsumma Festival
- Melbourne Queer Film Festival received funding to grow their capacity as LGBTI cultural events.
The grants are also supporting 11 current and future LGBTI leaders attending:
- Company Directors
- Emerging Managers courses
- Radio training
- And conferences to develop their leadership skills to support others in the community.
Further more, full list of LGBTI community grant recipients is available here.
Last month the Victorian government announced the address of the state’s new Pride Centre, with work expected to begin on the site within the next 12 months.
For the latest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) news in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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